This guide is about the Dodital - Darwa Pass Trek — dates, price, day-by-day itinerary and booking are on the trek page.
Quick answer: The Dodital Darwa Pass trek distance is about 36 km on foot over 4 walking days, starting and ending at Agoda (2,250 m), 185 km from Dehradun, on a 6-day trek. The highest point is Darwa Top at 4,150 m (13,615 ft), reached over Darwa Pass on Day 4. Walking days are 6, 5, 10 and 15 km.
This page gives the distance, time and height of every day on Trekkaro's Dodital Darwa Pass trek, how much height each day gains or loses, and how cold the route gets. For the lake itself, its legend and how it changes through the year, see the Dodital lake guide.
How far do you walk each day on the Dodital Darwa Pass trek?
| Day | Route | Distance | Time | Where you sleep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehradun to Agoda by road, via Uttarkashi and Sangamchatti | 185 km drive | 8–9 hours | Agoda, 2,250 m (7,382 ft), guesthouse or homestay |
| 2 | Agoda to Manjhi | 6 km | 3–4 hours | Manjhi camp, 2,700 m (8,860 ft), tents |
| 3 | Manjhi to Dodital | 5 km | 4–5 hours | Dodital Lake camp, 3,050 m (10,006 ft), tents |
| 4 | Dodital over Darwa Pass to Darwa Top and back | 10 km | 6–7 hours | Dodital Lake camp again |
| 5 | Dodital down to Agoda | 15 km | 6–7 hours | Agoda, guesthouse or homestay |
| 6 | Agoda to Dehradun by road | 185 km drive | 8–9 hours | Trek ends in Dehradun |
Four days on foot add up to about 36 km, and two days are spent on the road. You sleep two nights at the lake, so the Darwa Top climb is a there-and-back day walk from the lake camp, not a move to a new camp.
How much height do you gain or lose each day?
| Day | From | To | Height change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Agoda, 2,250 m | Manjhi, 2,700 m | About 450 m up |
| 3 | Manjhi, 2,700 m | Dodital, 3,050 m | About 350 m up |
| 4 | Dodital, 3,050 m | Darwa Top, 4,150 m, and back | About 1,100 m up and the same down |
| 5 | Dodital, 3,050 m | Agoda, 2,250 m | About 800 m down |
The first two walking days are gentle on height: 450 m and then 350 m. The Government of Uttarakhand's high-altitude health advisory for travel above 3,000 m advises no more than 800–1,000 m of elevation gain a day, and tells travellers to descend if they feel unwell and not to go higher. Day 4 is the one day that climbs more than that, and the group walks back down to sleep at the same lake camp by late afternoon or evening.
Trek leaders check every trekker's blood oxygen (SpO2) and pulse twice a day at every campsite. One oxygen cylinder and one stretcher travel with every batch, and Trekkaro's trek leaders are trained in wilderness first aid and lead with local guides. The altitude sickness guide lists the signs to watch for.
Which days are the longest and the steepest?
Day 4: the climb to Darwa Top
Day 4 is the most demanding day. It starts early from the lake, climbs through meadows and then turns rugged, with rocky ridges and narrow passages before the final push over Darwa Pass to Darwa Top. Groups reach Darwa Top between 9 and 10 AM and stay 30 to 45 minutes before walking back down the same trail. On a clear day Bandarpunch (6,316 m) and Swargarohini (6,252 m) stand out from the top.
In January the snow is deepest on this climb from Dodital to Darwa Top. Ice axes, microspikes and gaiters are included in the technical equipment for this trek.
Day 5: the long walk down
Day 5 is the longest walking day, 15 km in 6–7 hours, all the way down from the lake to Agoda. The steeper forest stretches are where the knees take the strain, so trekking poles help. Lower down the trail makes its river crossings and passes Manjhi and its shepherd huts again.
Days 2 and 3: the forest approach
Day 2 is a gradual forest trail through oak, deodar and rhododendron with open meadows. Day 3 is a short but steady climb through rhododendron, oak and pine forest to the lake.
What is the Dodital temperature by month?
| Months | Day | Night | On the trail |
|---|---|---|---|
| December and January | -2°C to 5°C | -12°C to -5°C | Trail under snow and the lake partly frozen |
| February and March | – | – | Trail under snow and the lake partly frozen |
| April to June | 8°C to 15°C | 0°C to 7°C | Batches run |
| October and November | – | – | Batches run |
| July to September | – | – | Outside the season |
Trekkaro gives no figures for October, November, February and March; for live conditions, check the district forecast on the India Meteorological Department's Meteorological Centre Dehradun pages before you leave. Trekkaro runs the trek from October to June. The trail is at its busiest from 20 to 31 December, the Christmas and New Year holiday weeks, and February is the month the team rates highest, because the snow is at its best for walking and the trail is quieter.
What does the Dodital Darwa Pass trek cost, and what is included?
The fee for the Dodital Darwa Pass trek, a Moderate trek, is ₹10,500 per person plus 5% GST (₹11,025 with GST). EMI starts at ₹540 a month. Free Trekking Gear (Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes) has no rental fee, only a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge.
Backpack offloading is optional at ₹1,000 plus GST for the whole trek, for bags up to 9 kg, with no suitcases, trolleys or duffel bags. The minimum age is 10, and trekkers under 18 come with a parent or guardian.
Transport is not in the trek fee. Trekkaro helps the group book shared cabs from Dehradun to Agoda and back, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. A 5–6 seat vehicle costs ₹6,500 one way, which is ₹1,083 per person when six share it. Bags you do not need on the trail can stay free of charge in Trekkaro's store in Agoda; valuables stay with you.
See Dodital Darwa Pass trek dates and book | Dodital lake guide | Agoda village guide
Frequently asked questions
How many km is the walk back from Dodital to Agoda?
The walk back is 15 km in 6–7 hours on Day 5, down about 800 m from the lake to Agoda. It passes Manjhi again and makes river crossings in the forest.
What is the highest point of the Dodital Darwa Pass trek?
The highest point is Darwa Top at 4,150 m (13,615 ft), reached over Darwa Pass on Day 4. It is about 1,100 m above the Dodital Lake camp, and the group returns to the lake the same day.
How many walking days does the Dodital Darwa Pass trek have?
The trek takes 6 days, with 4 days on foot and a drive between Dehradun and Agoda on the first and last day. The walking days are 6, 5, 10 and 15 km.
How cold does Dodital get in winter?
In December and January days are -2°C to 5°C and nights -12°C to -5°C. From December to March the trail is under snow and the lake partly freezes.
Which is the hardest day on the Dodital Darwa Pass trek?
Day 4 is the hardest: about 1,100 m of climbing from the lake over rocky ridges and narrow passages to Darwa Top, then the same descent. Day 5 is the longest at 15 km, mostly downhill.
